Repairs to begin on Wallendbeen's temporary railway bridge following December truck crash

Work will start this month to repair damage caused by a truck crash on the temporary road-over-rail bridge on Burley Griffin Way at Wallendbeen.

The bridge was closed indefinitely due to the significant damage to the structure after the December 2024 crash.

Transport for NSW southern regional director Cassandra Ffrench has confirmed the repair work is planned to start on Tuesday, 28 January, and will take up to six days to complete, weather permitting.

Motorists are advised of changes to local traffic conditions while the bridge is being fixed, with Silo Road and Morrisons Hill Road intersections with Burley Griffin Way closing to minimise the time needed to complete the repairs.

Ms Ffrench said a large crane would need to remain on site to lift the bridge out of the rail corridor and reinstall it after the repairs were completed.

The repair work is expected to be carried out at various times throughout the six-day closure and will be largely dependent on weather conditions.

Ms Ffrench said days with high winds forecast would influence timing and every effort would be made to minimise impacts on the local community and rail operations.

She said that, all going well, the temporary bridge was expected to reopen on Sunday, 2 February.

“Removing the bridge will ensure the repairs can be safely completed away from the rail corridor without disrupting rail services,” Ms Ffrench said.

“Safety is the highest priority and now that engineers have assessed the damage and have a repair plan in place, work can proceed.”

Ms Ffrench thanked motorists for their ongoing patience while work progresses.

Various detours are currently in place for light and heavy vehicles.

Travellers are encouraged to check Live Traffic for up-to-date information and follow the direction of traffic control and signage.

Burley Griffin Way between Stockinbingal and Wallendbeen will be reopened to traffic on Sunday, 2 February, weather permitting.

Ms Ffrench also confirmed construction of the new Wallendbeen bridge structure was progressing and remained on schedule for completion early this year, weather permitting.

The new permanent bridge will return a two-lane crossing to motorists, improving safety and travel times on this important freight corridor.

Burley Griffin Way acts as a key route on the network, linking the Hume Highway to the Riverina and the Olympic and Newell highways.

Transport for NSW said it would keep the community informed when a timeline was confirmed for completion of the road approaches that would allow for the new bridge to open to traffic.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke welcomed the news, which came as a result of a meeting with NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison and the Mayor of Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council Abb McAlister.

“I understand and share the Wallendbeen community’s frustration over the ongoing delays in constructing the new bridge, as well as the disruptions caused by necessary detours currently in place,” Ms Cooke said.

“For the past four years, I have raised concerns about the risks posed by this situation and the impact it has had on local residents and road users.”

Ms Cooke said Transport for NSW had also worked with the local council to cut back vegetation along Silo Road to improve visibility and safety for motorists.

Additional signage has also been installed at many points along the detour route, and Transport for NSW has increased engagement with heavy-vehicle operators.

“My focus remains on the new Wallendbeen Bridge we so desperately need, and I have been working with, and assured by, the Minister that Transport for NSW will provide a revised timeline for completing the road approaches needed to open the new bridge as soon as practicable,” Ms Cooke said.

She said she would provide further updates to the community after her next meeting with Minister Aitchison and Mayor McAlister, scheduled before the end of January.